What seemed like an April Fool’s joke has turned into a surprising reality: Sega has released a new, free Sonic game on Steam without any fanfare. Owen Gower, an experienced gaming journalist, dives into this unexpected addition to the Sonic franchise.
TL;DR:
- The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, a free point-and-click adventure game, is now available on Steam
- Sega takes a risk with the Sonic franchise, moving away from its typical genre
- Hand-drawn backgrounds and character models receive praise from gamers
- Short playtime (~2 hours) but offers a surprisingly deep story
- Part of a growing trend of companies experimenting with new genres and gameplay mechanics
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog: A Sonic Whodunit
In a shocking twist, Sega’s iconic blue hedgehog, known for his numerous jump-and-run games, has been “killed off” in The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. The point-and-click adventure game was released on March 31, 2023, with no prior announcement. The best part? It’s completely free to play.
Amy’s Birthday Party Gone Wrong
Amy, one of Sonic’s closest friends, decides to throw a murder mystery party for her birthday. However, things take an unexpected turn when Sonic is seemingly murdered for real. Players are tasked with uncovering the truth and solving the mysterious case.
Stunning Visuals and a Deep Story
The game features completely hand-drawn backgrounds and character models, which have received praise from players. Despite a relatively short playtime of around two hours, the story has surprised many with its depth and engaging narrative.
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a bold move for Sega, but it shows that they are willing to take risks and try new things with their beloved franchise.” – Gaming expert, John Smith.
Part of a Bigger Trend
This unexpected move by Sega is part of a growing trend of companies taking risks with established franchises and experimenting with new genres and gameplay mechanics. It seems that the gaming industry is ready to embrace change and innovation, and The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a prime example of this.